Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Chapter 225 51: Turbulent Undercurrents, Intimidating the Crowd

The woman's eyes flashed with a strange light as she looked at the cat curled up on her body.

"The fifth young Master, forgive me for a moment while I lock up the cat in the room," the woman said apologetically to Zhou Xintong.

"As you wish, sister-in-law."

The young woman stood up gracefully, bowed slightly, and returned to her boudoir with her maid.

The maid opened the door, and the woman quickly entered.

Once inside, the young woman turned her head, pink light flickering in her eyes, and coldly instructed, "Stand guard outside. Do not let anyone come in."

The maid lifted her head, and pink light also appeared in her eyes as if she were a puppet, "Yes, Goddess."

Creak.

The door closed again.

"Why seek me at this moment?"

The woman's cold voice echoed in the room.

The white cat in her arms sprang to the ground, speaking human words in a panic, "Something's wrong, Xiao Hei has been killed."

"What happened?"

"A month ago, Xiao Hei ate a dispatch officer from the Guardian Martial Department. We thought it was no issue, but just moments ago, the Guardian Martial Department somehow found Xiao Hei."

"Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?" the young woman said, "Xiao Hei was born with nine lives, not easy to kill."

"I saw clearly, all nine of Xiao Hei's lives are gone. When they left, I counted, there were nine Xiao Heis."

The young woman was silent for a moment, then said, "Recently, you should stay out of trouble. If you want to eat blood food, just tell me, and I'll have the Zhou Family provide you with some servants."

"I understand, Goddess," the white cat raised its head and asked, "Goddess, what about Xiao Hei's matter?"

"What do you mean, what do we do?"

"Should we avenge him?"

"That's human clan's custom, but we demons don't adhere to that. Right now, we should focus on the opportunity appearing in Yongzhou soon. I have a premonition, it won't be long. This time the Spirit Mechanism eruption might be even more intense, possibly as strong as the one in Yun Meng County."

"Ah, really?"

"Don't provoke the Guardian Martial Department anymore, and keep your mouth shut to prevent leaks. Dealing with the Ji Family is already enough for us. Anything else?"

"No more."

"If there's nothing, stay in the room today. I'll send someone over tonight, and we'll eat together."

"Great. I want a tender child."

"Understood."

The young woman turned calmly and opened the door with a casual wave of her right hand, and walked back into the courtyard.

Gazing at Zhou Xintong's overflowing Essence Qi, the young woman couldn't help licking her lips.

"If it weren't for the agreement with your patriarch, I'd love to drain you dry. Alas, for now, I can only look."

She displayed a helpless look of disappointment, once again smiling and approaching.

...

Guardian Martial Department, the quiet room.

Zheng Yuanqiu inquired, "How are things in Taiping County?"

The fifth officer's dispatch officer, Xu Changle, stood up and said, "The Ji Family has failed multiple castle attacks, and the Commander and his men have held the line."

"That's good. What are the True Master's next instructions? Do we need to take Yongzhou?"

The fifth officer's dispatch officer, Xu Changle, said, "The True Master instructed not to rush Yongzhou, but there's another matter that requires our attention."

"What is it?"

"The True Master observed the celestial phenomena at night and sensed a new Spirit Mechanism might arrive in Yongzhou."

"A new Spirit Mechanism?" Zheng Yuanqiu responded with rare seriousness, "I understand. I'll make arrangements."

"Okay. We'll exchange notes when the time comes."

"Mm."

At that moment, Xu Changle recalled something and said, "You previously told the fourth officer's dispatch to investigate the demon matter within a month, there are two days left now, what do you plan to do?"

Zheng Yuanqiu replied indifferently, "Of course, as per the old rule, grinding down to the bone, this time it's not just their silver I want."

Xu Changle curiously asked, "What else do you want?"

"Heh, I want their concubines," Zheng Yuanqiu shamelessly said, "You don't know, those women have a unique taste."

"Be mindful of the limits," Xu Changle glanced at him and said, "Two officers from the fourth group came to me, and seeing they brought quite a bit of Silver Tael, I plan to take them into my group. Just letting you know in advance."

"Do as you see fit."

With that, he didn't wait for Zheng Yuanqiu's response and silently left the quiet room.

Outside, having just left and before taking a couple of steps, he encountered Shen Qing, who was reporting back.

The two exchanged glances, each averting their gaze as they passed by each other.

Shen Qing's eyebrow arched.

He knew the fifth group's defense area was peaceful recently, why did Xu Changle come?

The dead fat man in the room, they couldn't avoid enough.

No clues.

Shen Qing thought no more, adjusted his appearance, and approached the quiet room's door, respectfully saying, "Subordinate Shen Qing seeks an audience with the Lord Chief Officer."

"What is it?" Zheng Yuanqiu's voice came from inside the room.

"It's about the killing of Xi Chasi by the demon," Shen Qing continued, "Sir, fortunately, I did not fail you. I've slain the demon and reported back to you, Lord Chief Officer."

Zheng Yuanqiu, lounging on a chair in the quiet room, hearing yet again 'fortunately did not fail,' instantly jumped from the table.

He walked to the door, stared at Shen Qing, suppressing his voice, "What did you say?"

Shen Qing raised his head, meeting Zheng Yuanqiu's gaze, and replied, neither servile nor overbearing, "My lord, the demon that killed Xi Chasi has been apprehended."

A shadow came over Zheng Yuanqiu's face, feeling the silver and women he was to receive vanished into thin air, and an unprovoked anger arose, he asked irritably, "Where's the demon's body, take me to see it."

Shen Qing calmly stepped aside, saying, "This way, my lord."

Holding back dissatisfaction, Zheng Yuanqiu followed Shen Qing to the courtyard.

They saw nine corpses of cat demons, as big as mastiffs, piled together, appearing as though they had been dead for some time, with dark red blood and fur matted together.

The stench was overwhelming.

Faced with indisputable evidence, Zheng Yuanqiu was momentarily speechless.

Other officers, including those from the fourth group, arrived in the courtyard one after another upon hearing the news.

When they saw the pile of demon bodies stacked like a hill, they gasped and were too shocked to speak.

Especially those officers who had already arranged an escape route, regretted their choices deeply.

They never thought Shen Qing would actually slay the demon within the deadline.

With this, the fourth group of the Guardian Martial Department was secure.

The effort spent on preparing an exit strategy and overpaying Silver Taels was in vain.

Worse, they were at a loss whether they proceeded or not.

Glaring at Shen Qing, they silently cursed, "Damn, that Shen bastard."